A Comprehensive Method for the Evaluation of Hermetia illucens Egg Quality Parameters: Implications and Influence Factors

The significant momentum received by Hermetia illucens as a worldwide species is due to its biological traits and large applicability in scientific research, environmental entomoremediation, insect meal production, and for biodiesel yield. The aim of this research is to develop a method for the preparation and precise egg counting of the H. illucens egg clutch, as well as an accurate technique for evaluating egg biometric parameters. The precise proposed method for egg preparation and counting consists in dispersing the eggs clutch under a stereo microscope and counting the eggs on a photographic capture using the Clickmaster software. Five solution types were used to disperse the egg clutches: glycerin 50%, ethanol 70%, ethanol 80%, physiological serum 0.9% and purified water. The efficiency of the estimation method for eggs number evaluation was also tested by using the estimated egg weight as a conversion factor. The biometric parameters of single eggs (length and width) were determined using the free Toupview software. The precise method of egg preparation and counting allows for the registration of the eggs number manually identified by the operator. The appropriate dispersion solutions were glycerin 50% and ethanol 70%. The method has an error of 1.4 eggs for each 500 counted eggs, thus an accuracy of over 99.4%. The eggs number estimation method is not applicable without significant errors, the accuracy being less than 32%, due to egg heterogeneity in the clutch. Biometric parameters (length and width) are positively correlated with egg weight (r = 0.759) and with the number of eggs in the clutch (r = 0.645). In conclusion, the results clearly suggest the method of egg preparation and precise counting for an accurate evaluation of quality parameters of the H. illucens clutches, as well as the technique for evaluating egg biometric parameters.

Effectiveness of Banana Trunk as Protection Wall from High Velocity Shrapnel During Detonation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

This paper is to investigate banana trunk fibre to be constructed alternatively for the sand bag and high energy absorption. The aim of this study also for enhancing method of absorption velocity shrapnel during detonated of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Improvise Explosive Device (IED). The study involved blast test which is providing high energy impact based on the amount of explosive used. Type of explosive were used are Emulex 180 with velocity of detonation 4500m/s to 5700m/s, Explosive energy 4.17 MJ/kg, density 1.13g/cc to 1.21g/cc and initiation were used are No. 8 Detonator. The structure of specimen is analysed using Stereo Microscope Image Analyser (35x zoom) which is an optical instrument that can observe the structure of the fragments (banana fibre) after blast test. Results shows that banana trunk can become a protection wall as it can absorb the impact of blast from explosion.

Occurrence of microdebris in commercial cephalopod

Modern Fish Market of Muara Baru is one of the largest fish markets in Jakarta, which sells various seafood, including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and others. Previous studies have revealed microdebris contamination of mollusks, particularly in filter-feeders. However, it has not been widely studied at the predator level in cephalopods. We aim to investigate contamination of microdebris in two commercial species of cephalopod, i.e. Loliolus sumatrensis and Sepia recurvirostra, from the market. The digestive tract of the cephalopod was taken and dissolved by adding H2O2 50% then filtered under a vacuum system. The particles of microdebris were observed with a stereo microscope then several particles were analyzed using an FTIR microscope. The abundance of microdebris in L. sumatrensis was higher (3.8 particles/individual) than the abundance that of microdebris in S. recurvirostra (2.8 particles/individual). The size of microdebris was dominated by three of five size classes such as 0.1 − 0.5 mm, 0.5 − 1 mm, and 1 − 5 mm. Microdebris in L. sumatrensis was confirmed as polypropylene (PP), a synthetic polymer (microplastic), while in S. recurvirostra was confirmed as rayon (semi-synthetic). This research shows that microdebris contamination has reached the level of a predator in Mollusca.

Microdebris in Echinodea Tripneustes gratilla at Spermonde Archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Microdebris contamination of marine organism has become a major concern. As a detritivore, Tripneustes gratilla also has the opportunity to be contaminated. This study aims to determine microdebris contamination in T. gratilla, including the form and size of the microdebris. This research was conducted at three islands, i.e. Barrang Lompo, Badi, and Kondong Bali. Ten individuals were collected from each island. The digestive tract of spesies was taken, then H2O2 was added to dissolve the organic matter. Flotation was carried out by adding NaCl. Microdebris was observed using stereo microscope, and selected particle then was analysed by FT-IR Microscope. The abundance of microdebris in T. gratilla was ranged from 3.4 to 14.8 particles/individual. Tripneustes gratilla from Badi Island showed the highest levels, contained 14.8 particles/individual. Fiber and fragment were found in all the samples. Fiber was the most common microdebris and consisted of more than half of the total microdebris in each island, except Barrang Lompo. The most common size of microdebris ranged 0.05-1mm, accounted for 36% of the total microdebris. The particle observed by FT-IR Microscope was identified as cotton. Our results suggest that microdebris pollution have contaminated T. gratilla in the Spermonde archipelago.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Three Different Types of Pattern Materials on the Vertical Marginal Accuracy of Complete Cast Crown: An In Vitro Study

Aim and Objective The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different types of pattern materials on the vertical marginal accuracy of complete cast crown. Material and Methods Three groups of 20 specimens each were made based on three pattern materials, that is, blue inlay wax, autopolymerizing acrylic resin, and light cure pattern resin. Castings were made and examined using stereo microscope for vertical marginal discrepancy. Results The result showed that the highest mean gap was noticed in the castings fabricated using inlay type B pattern wax followed by the castings fabricated using autopolymerizing resin and the least mean gap was observed in the castings fabricated using light cure modeling material. Conclusion It was concluded from this study that the use of light cure modeling material to make patterns for casting with lost wax technique is best recommended than inlay type B pattern and autopolymerizing resin.

Improvement of Tool Life of a Commercial Drill Bits by Cryogenic Treatment While Machining Widmanstatten Ti-6Al-4V.

In this study, the performance of Ø 8 mm WC-Co (10%) drill bits with a TiAlN coating was tested for machining of Ti6Al4V alloy with a Widmanstatten structure. In order to improve the tool life, cutting tools were subjected to deep cryogenic treatment. In total, three groups of tools were prepared for this study. The first group was used for reference as the supplied state; the second group was subjected to 24 hours deep cryogenic treatment at -196 ° C, and the third group was subjected to 24 hours deep cryogenic at -196 ° C, additionally was tempered 2 hours at 200 ° C. Machining experiments were done by drilling and a set of 60 holes were drilled with each drill bit, and tool wear were observed and recorded with a stereo microscope. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were carried on to understand the tool wear better. The microhardness of Cryo-treated and tempered cutting tools hardness increased up to 20 Hv (about 1%), and the toughness value did not change significantly. Cutting performance was observed by measuring the cutting forces during drilling experiments. According to these results, deep cryogenic treatment on WC-Co-based inserts decreased cutting forces by approximately 7% compared to the reference drill bit, which affected the cutting tool life. The dominant wear mechanism was Built-up edge (BUE) formation, and cryo-treatment lowered the BUE amount 8% and cryo-treated and tempered drill bit 45% compared to the reference drill bit.

An Extended Gate Field Effect Transistor-based (EGFET-based) Urea Microbiosensor Based on Polypyrrole

Here, an extended – gate field effect transistor (EGFET) urea microsensor based on modified polypyrrole (PPy) is reported for the quantitative detection of urea in aqueous solution. the EGFET urea sensor was made by integrating a small and cheap metal oxide semiconductor field - effect transistor (MOSFET) with a Au microelectrode modified with urease and pH sensitive PPy. First, the urease was added to a pyrrole solution and then pyrrole/urease solution was electropolymerized on the surface of gold microelectrode in galvostanic mode to produce a urea sensitive microelectrode. The microsensor was imaged using a stereo microscope to confirm the polymerization of pyrrole/urease. The EGFET urea microsensor was tested in deionized water containing various concentrations of urea. The electrode showed a linear response for a wide concentration range of urea from 10−9 to 10−5 M with a sensitivity of 35.5 mV/decade urea.

Lasianthus ranongensis (Rubiaceae), a new species from Andaman tropical rainforest Thailand

We describe Lasianthus ranongensis Sinbumr. & Napiroon as a new species in the genus Lasianthus. The new taxon is intensively discussed through taxonomic affinities and information on its habitat, distribution and conservation status is provided. Moreover, line drawings and stereo microscope images of important fertile organs are demonstrated. The new species is morphologically similar to L. stipularis but differs in its having flattened branches (vs. terete), leaf blade elliptic-oblong shape of 15.0–20.0 × 4.0–6.0 cm (vs. oblanceolate-oblong 12.0–16.0 × 3.0–5.5 cm), 9–12 pairs of veins (vs. 9–10 pairs), stipule 5–7 mm long, half covering cymes (vs. 10–12.5 mm long, entirely covering cymes), four or five bracts narrowly lanceolate, 2.5–3.0 mm long (vs. bracts numerous, broadly triangular, 10–15 mm), flowers with cupular calyx (vs. with campanulate calyx), corolla villous on internal surface, and six or seven lobed (vs. pubescent on internal surface and four lobed) and drupes with five pyrenes (vs. with four pyrenes). It is also similar to L. pseudo-stipularis, but from which it is obviously distinguished by its stipule half covers cymes, secondary veins have 9–12 pairs of secondary veins, cupular calyx shape, six or seven lobed corolla, and drupe with five pyrenes, whereas L. pseudo-stipularis has stipule entirely covering cymes, 7–8 pairs of secondary veins, obconic calyx, four lobed corolla, and drupe with four pyrenes.

Geochemical-Microscopical Characterization of the Deterioration of Stone Surfaces in the Cloister of Santa Maria in Vado (Ferrara, Italy)

Santa Maria in Vado is a monument in the rich artistic heritage of the city of Ferrara (north of Italy). In this paper we want to investigate the state of conservation of tombstones, cloister and the entrance to the basilica, in order to keep them in the best possible state for the future generations. From the chemical characterization, the state of conservation was determined focusing on the biodeteriogenic and non-biodeteriogenic factors, which determine a series of unwanted changes in the physical, mechanical and above all aesthetic properties of the material, often closely connected with the environment and conservation conditions. On the macroscopic observation, the state of conservation of the tombstones appeared to be very deteriorated through aesthetic and structural damage. In detail, the stereo microscope observation of samples collected from the tombstones show the presence of efflorescence probably caused by the abundant of water that bring the salts present inside the rock into solution. Relating the columns, μ-XRF analysis confirm the carbonate composition of samples and presence of iron and sulfur. Finally, SEM observation highlighted the presence of black crust on arch samples and the presence of pollen on the black crust and spheroidal particles probably related to atmospheric pollution.

Microplastics Occurrence in Surface Waters and Sediments in Five River Mouths of Manila Bay

Microplastics have been increasingly documented globally in numerous environmental compartments. However, little information exists in the Philippines despite the fact that the country is considered to be one of the largest contributors of plastics in oceans. This study, considered as one of the pioneering microplastic research, evaluated the abundance, distribution, and composition of microplastic pollution in the mouths of five rivers, namely Cañas, Meycauayan, Parañaque, Pasig and Tullahan, draining to Manila Bay. Surface water and sediments samples were collected, then passed through a stack of sieves with sizes from 2.36 mm at the top to 0.075 mm at the bottom. These samples were digested to remove organic matter, and salt solutions were added to allow the microplastics to float. Extracted particles were examined under a stereo microscope, and quantified and categorized into shape, size, color, and type. Results show that microplastics were present ubiquitously at all river mouths but with concentrations varying from 1,580 to 57,665 particles/m3 (surface water) and 386 to 1,357 particles/kg (dry sediment). Fragment was the most abundant shape, while white, blue, and transparent were the most prevalent colors. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that polypropylene (PP), high and low-density polyethylene (high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene) and polystyrene were the main types of microplastics present in the river mouths.